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Saudi Arabia joins US in strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq

July 29, 2026

Saudi Arabia and the United States conducted joint military strikes against Iranian-backed militias across multiple Iraqi provinces, killing at least 20 members of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces. The coordinated attack followed more than 30 drone strikes directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard against American forces and Saudi energy infrastructure over a 72-hour period. Iran had also launched a missile attack on US bases in Jordan, which was intercepted, and struck oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz through its naval forces.

Who is affected

  • At least 20 members of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) killed and 32 wounded
  • US military forces in the Middle East targeted by Iranian missiles and drones
  • Four US service personnel previously killed in Jordan and Iraq
  • Saudi Arabian oil facilities targeted by drone attacks
  • Crew and operators of three oil tankers struck in the Strait of Hormuz
  • Iraqi civilians and institutions affected by strikes on Iraqi soil
  • Scores of people reportedly killed in previous 13 nights of US bombing

What action is being taken

  • US and Saudi fighter jets are striking multiple militia logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq
  • Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps is directing aerial drone attacks against US forces and Saudi infrastructure
  • Iranian naval forces are striking oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz
  • The US is intercepting Iranian missiles targeting its bases

Why it matters

  • This represents a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict because Saudi Arabia has joined direct military action alongside the US, expanding the scope beyond bilateral US-Iran hostilities. The involvement of a major regional power like Saudi Arabia and the targeting of critical energy infrastructure through the Strait of Hormuz—effectively closed since late February—threatens global oil supplies and raises prices. The strikes also violate Iraqi sovereignty by conducting operations on Iraqi territory against forces formally integrated into Iraq's armed forces, potentially destabilizing the region further and complicating diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC